It’s not a space that typically comes to mind when we think about surgical procedures – unless you’ve been there, then you know how fortunate you are.
Minor surgery. It’s a space that allows surgeons to perform procedures without general anesthesia or respiratory support, which makes it an important option in determining the best care path for their patients.
A new minor surgery clinical space at Peter Lougheed Centre was made possible in partnership with a donation from local philanthropist, Dr. Mark Zivot. The new minor surgery operating room is housed adjacent to the Zivot Limb Preservation Centre, which received a $1 million contribution from Dr. Zivot to develop the program further, and has been a national leader in the field of podiatric care and limb preservation.
Today, the minor surgery clinic sees over 7,000 patients annually who require immediate intervention. Common cases utilizing minor surgery operating theatres include podiatric limb preservation procedures and fractures, and plastic surgery involving hand and facial injuries. Biopsies of tissue and bone are also done in these theatres.
“I believe it’s important for us as a community to support the healthcare system we rely so heavily on. I have seen the results of early intervention and diverting patients from a very long and painful journey in care through the establishment of the Zivot Limb Preservation Centre. It has tremendous benefits to the patients and to the economics of the health system. This seemed like the obvious thing to do, and working with Calgary Health Foundation made it an easy thing to do.” says Dr. Zivot.
According to Dr. Zivot, the minor surgery clinic is critical to the care clinicians provide and helps catch issues early, which reduces the risk of further complications. It also results in great economic benefits to the health system as patients typically have less acute care needs and can maintain a high quality of life.
That is the case for John, who has been a patient of the Zivot Limb Preservation Centre for over eight years. He suffers from a disorder that causes his skin to easily callus and needs regular debridement, a technique that removes the bad and problematic tissues and stimulates healing in the wound.
Following a trip with his wife to the Pacific Ocean, John suffered a bone infection. With the collaboration and availability of the minor surgery clinic, John was able to immediately have a procedure to remove his heel and stop the infection from spreading.
John knows how fortunate he is to have received his treatment at Peter Lougheed Centre and believes that if he were to be treated in any other city under any other care team, he may have lost his leg.
“The generosity of Dr. Mark Zivot is a perfect example of breakthroughs in care and how, as a community, we can be a partner to Alberta Health Services in removing critical barriers and ensuring the best outcomes for Southern Albertans,” says Murray Sigler, President and CEO of Calgary Health Foundation.
Did you know?
- Annually, the minor surgery clinic at Peter Lougheed Centre sees over 7,000 patients who require immediate intervention. Minor surgeries can be performed in the clinic without general anesthesia or respiratory support while a patient is undergoing the procedure, which makes it an important option for surgeons in determining the best care path for their patients.
- Currently the clinic is on track to see a surge of patients with 9,000 procedures estimated this year. This is an impressive feat, as Alberta Health Services is also implementing Connect Care, the provincial health record system, across all hospitals in Calgary.
- Common cases utilizing minor surgery operating theatres include podiatric limb preservation procedures and fractures, and plastic surgery involving hand and facial injuries. Biopsies of tissue and bone are also done in these theatres. These patients are referred to the clinic from another surgeon, specialists and family doctors or, in urgent cases, are direct referrals from the Emergency Room.
- Local philanthropist, Dr. Mark Zivot provided $114,000 in funding to help relocate the two minor surgery rooms to the hospital’s 5th floor adjacent to the Zivot Limb Preservation Centre.
- The availability of minor surgery clinics diverts pressure from the main operating rooms and emergency department, and offers early intervention options for many patients while the hospital is able to expand its Emergency Room footprint.
- The minor surgery clinics are housed on the 5th floor of Peter Lougheed Centre, adjacent to the Zivot Limb Preservation Centre, a centre of excellence that is leading the country in patient care, education and research related to diabetic foot disease and amputation prevention. This has allowed for synergies between the two operations, allowing for better support of earlier interventions for patients and a more patient-centered care approach to care.
- In Alberta, over 700 people undergo diabetes-related lower-limb amputations. Sadly, 90% of these amputations are preventable.
